They'll pass by quickly

Top 3 quarterbacks in draft likely to go faster than any other position on Saturday

April 23, 2004|By Don Pierson, Terry Bannon.

Although Eli Manning's brother is Peyton of the Indianapolis Colts, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo claims North Carolina State's Phillip Rivers has the best intangibles since Peyton. Ben Roethlisberger of Miami of Ohio follows Marshall's Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich out of the Mid-American Conference.

Eli Manning

6-4, 220, Mississippi

Son of Archie, brother of Peyton, anointed as the latest phenom.

Ben Roethlisberger

6-4, 240, Miami (O.)

Excellent athlete for size. Has more potential to improve than others.

Phillip Rivers

6-5, 230, N.C. State

Only a weird sidearm delivery kept him from ranking No. 1.

J.P Losman

6-2, 225, Tulane

Athletic with strong arm. He'll need time to develop.

Matt Schaub

6-5, 240, Virginia

Smart, efficient, good decision-maker. Good touch.

Sleeper

Luke McCown

6-3, 210, Louisiana Tech

Latest in family of quarterbacks, including Texas A&M's Randy and Arizona Cardinals Josh.

Local

Russ Michna

6-1, 224, Western Illinois

Michna, a Conant High School graduate, is not likely to be drafted. He'll get a shot in someone's training camp.